No terrain is safe. It is a common misconception that tornadoes cannot hit hilly or mountainous terrain. They can and do. Although mountains may inhibit the initial development of a storm, once a tornado is estalblished hills do not affect it. In fact they can make an approaching tornado harder to see.
Tornadoes are most commonly associated with flat or gently rolling terrain, as this type of topography allows the ingredients for tornado formation, such as warm moist air and cold dry air, to mix more easily and efficiently. However, tornadoes can occur in various types of topography if the atmospheric conditions are conducive to their development.
Tornadoes can hit hilly landscapes, but they are less common compared to flat terrain. Hills may disrupt the typical straight path of a tornado, causing it to dissipate more quickly or change direction. However, under the right conditions, tornadoes can still cause damage in hilly areas.
No. Tornadoes are dangerous.
It is uncertain. There is some evidence that hills can weaken tornadoes, but only slightly.
Yes. Although hilly or mountainous terrain can sometimes disrupt mechanisms that help tornadoes form, once a tornado touches down hills will not affect it. Some tornadoes even gain strength when passing over hills.
Tornadoes most often form over temperate grasslands, but they can occur in just about any terrain.
Tornadoes can form in just about any sort of terrain.
Tornadoes have occurred in most areas of Missouri. No town is safe.
They often do, but they can also form over hilly and even mountainous terrain.
Tornadoes are most often associated with plains areas, but they can occur in any sort of terrain. Climate has a bigger influence on tornado activity than topography does.
Yes. Tornadoes can and have happened in Virginia and Washington. No town is safe.
Yes. Tornadoes do not form as easily in mountainous terrain as they do on plains, though they can still hit mountainous areas. Mountains interfere with a thunderstorm's ability to gain warm, moist air. Once a tornado is established, however, it can pass over terrain relatively unaffected.